Is the Capilano Suspension Bridge Worth it?

Is the Capilano Suspension Bridge Worth it? Yes! The Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is one of the most popular tourist attractions in British Columbia! So, what is it? It’s a Suspension Bridge located in Vancouver, Canada that crosses the Capilano River. The bridge is 460 ft (140 meters) long and 230 ft (70 meters) above the river. It draws over 1.2 million visitors a year, so if you’re heading to Vancouver, make sure to add the Capilano Suspension Bridge to your to-do list!

And if you have a few days in VanCity, check out this 3 days in Vancouver guide by a local!

How to Get to Capilano Suspension Bridge

You can take the shuttle to the Capilano Suspension Bridge. They have pick-ups at Canada Place, the Hyatt Regency Hotel, and the Blue Horizon Hotel. It’s FREE and year-round!

Yes, budget travelers, you heard me correctly. Seating is on a first-come, first-served for guests of Capilano Suspension Bridge Park only so make sure to arrive early if it’s during busy season.

Capilano Suspension Bridge Tickets

Capilano Suspension Bridge tickets cost $34.95 (edit: $41.95 as of July 2020) for students, which I was at the time. However, if you’re not eligible for the student discount, Capilano Suspension Bridge tickets are $54.95 for adults, $49.95 for seniors, $29.95 for youth (13-16), $18.95 for children (6-12). If you’re visiting with children six and younger, they are free! There are also family passes if you go with a group of people.

Check the official site for the current pricing of Capilano Suspension Bridge tickets, as it changed a lot between when I went (around 2010) and the update of this blog post (2020).

Is the Capilano Suspension Bridge Worth It?

Yes, even for scaredy cats like me! The Capilano Suspension Bridge is merely incredible! All I can explain it as is: imagine being with mythical woodland creatures galavanting through a forest or Fern Gully (can’t you feel its pain?).

I’m not B.S.ing you here. I’m afraid of heights, and even I braved the bridge for this gorgeous sight! It was forest as far as the eye could see! And oh, so peaceful! With very few people there, the place was serenely silent amongst the trees. This also made my slow going on the bridge bearable because, again, I HATE HEIGHTS!

The History of the Capilano Suspension Bridge

The Capilano Suspension Bridge was initially built in 1889 by George Grant Mackay, a Scottish civil engineer and park commissioner for Vancouver. The original bridge consisted of hemp ropes with a deck of cedar plants, which was replaced by a wire cable bridge in 1903. In 1935, its new owner invited local natives to place their totem poles in the park, adding a native theme.

Entirely rebuilt in 1956, it’s next owner added Treetops Adventures (which I enjoyed very much), which consists of seven footbridges suspended between old-growth Douglas Fir trees on the west side of the canyon. These bridges create a walkway up to 98 feet (30 meters) above the forest floor, providing “a unique squirrel’s eye perspective of the forest.”

In June 2011, a new attraction, Cliffwalk, was added to the park. Cliffwalk is a cantilevered walkway clinging to the granite cliff high above Capilano Canyon.

What is There to Do at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park?

The first thing to know is that all park attractions are included in the price of admission! In addition to Cliffwalk and the Treetops Adventure, there is a Story Center, guided nature tours on offer, a Kids’ Rainforest Explorer program, and a Living Forest exhibit that enhances this unique rainforest encounter.

You can also enjoy seasonal musical entertainment, check out the Raptors, and experience the First Nations culture. Take photos at the Totem Park and with the Capilano Tramps. Then you can top it off with a visit to the gift shop full of merchandise from all over Canada and great homemade fudge!

A Capilano Suspension Bridge Christmas

Now, if you’re lucky enough to visit Vancouver during the winter, then you should definitely check out the Canyon Lights, which is a Winter Festival held from late November to late January. Illuminated by hundreds of thousands of lights throughout the park, it is a magical experience. The Capilano Suspension Bridge during Christmas turns the Treetops Adventure, Cliffwalk, the rainforest, and canyon into a world of festive lights and visual magic.

The 30-ton Douglas firs of Treetops Adventure are lit, making them the eight tallest Christmas trees in the world! Who wouldn’t want to have a Capilano Suspension Bridge Christmas? Making the question of “Is the Capilano Suspension Bridge worth it?” easy to answer during the holidays.

They also have a Snowy Owl Prowl, gingerbread cookie decorating, and sing-along carols with a holiday band. The Capilano Suspension Bridge lights are a must-see event if you’re in Vancouver during the holidays. Looking for even more magical winter experiences? Check out the Ice Magic Festival at Lake Louise.

Capilano Suspension Bridge Hours

The Capilano Suspension Bridge is open every day of the year except December 25. Due to COVID-19, tickets and annual passes are only available for pre-purchase online for a specific date and time to limit contact upon entry. Expect to spend about 2.5 hours in the park.

Depending on what time of year you are visiting will dictate the Capilano Suspension Bridge hours.

I hope this post helps you answer the question, “Is the Capilano Suspension Bridge worth it?” because I believe it definitely is if you’re planning on visiting Vancouver!

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